The university has adopted the following guidelines, in an effort to promote safety and adherence to state law and local ordinances at organization-sponsored events at Susquehanna University where alcohol will be served.

These guidelines apply to all university student organizations recognized by the Student Government Association, Greek-Letter organization, and varsity athletic teams.

All events shall comply with the Susquehanna University rules and regulations as set forth in this Student Handbook, as well as federal, state, and local laws.

An organization that plans to have a Social Event must complete the Event Registration Form and meet the following requirements:

Alcohol Control

• Distributing alcohol through a common source, including bulk quantities (e.g., kegs, jungle juice, coolers), which are not being served by a licensed and insured third party vendor, are prohibited. The only acceptable means of distributing alcohol is described below.
• No alcoholic beverages may be purchased using organization funds, or funds pooled by members or guest (e.g., admission fees, cover fees, collecting funds though digital apps), nor may an individual purchase/provide alcoholic beverages on behalf of the organization.
• Alcohol may be brought to a Registered event (BYOB) by individuals who are both:
  • 21 years old or older and,
  • Appear on the registered event guest list (including members of the host organization).
• Alcohol being consumed at the Social Event, must only be consumed by the 21+ year old who brought it to the Social Event.
• No person under the legal drinking age may possess, consume, provide or be provided alcoholic beverages.
• Organization members and guests must follow the federal law regarding illegal drugs and controlled substances. No person may possess, use, provide, distribute, sell and/or manufacture illegal drugs or other controlled substance while at any Social Events.
• The total amount of alcohol at the event may not exceed four portions per 21+ year old who appears on the guest list.
• Alcoholic Beverages:
  • 12-ounce beers or spiked seltzer, 187-mL wine, or 8-ounce malt liquor per 21+ year old who is present. Guidelines for beverages are as follows:
  • Must be in cans, paper, or plastic containers. No glass;
  • Must be a single serving container;
  • May not exceed 6% alcohol content;
  • All containers must be sealed. Any container that has been opened will not be accepted at the entrance;
  • At the event, a 21+ year old may receive and be in possession of only one beverage at a time;
  • Students may only consume one beverage per hour while the event is in session;
  • Alcoholic beverages may not be served until the official start time of the event;
  • Alcohol may not be served to any person who is visibly intoxicated or does not have a 21+ wristband;
• Members of host organization or guests must not permit, encourage, coerce, glorify or participate in any activities involving the rapid consumption of alcohol, such as drinking games. One designated “bar area” must be delineated where alcohol is to be served.
  • The designated bar area must be supervised by a trained TIPS Team Member at all times;
• Alcohol may not be consumed on campus grounds outside of the residence halls or other designated areas without prior written approval from the Office of Student Leadership & Engagement.

Scheduling of Social Events

• Registered Events may only be held in the 18th Street Commons Community Building, University Avenue houses or the Phi Mu Delta House or a location approved by the Dean of Students & Campus Life;
• Greek Letter Organizations must file a valid Host Liquor Liability Insurance with the Office of Leadership & Engagement (contact your organization to request a copy);
• The number of Social Events permitted each semester is based on the organization’s demonstrated ability to effectively register and manage its Social Events;
• Social Events may only be held when the fall and spring academic terms are in session. They may not be held during midterm examination periods, reading days, final examination periods, or, for Greek Letter Organizations, during any event or activity related to the new member joining process or new member education activities.;
• Proper registration must be filed by noon, five (5) business days prior to the function (e.g., Student organizations requesting an event for Friday or Saturday must register by 12 p.m. on Monday of the same week). The registration form will include the guest list, TIPS Team Members, any contracts related to the Social Event (off campus social events must be registered three weeks in advance, see Formal Policies);
• Any event where alcohol is present may not be advertised, must be by invitations only, and the host organization must utilize a guest list system;
• Attendance at Social Events is limited to 2:1 maximum guest to member ratio, and must not exceed local fire or building code capacity of the venue;
• Social Event Hours:
  • Authorized Social Events will be scheduled for no more than four-hour periods on Friday evenings, Saturday afternoon or evenings, or Sunday afternoons;
  • Registered Events starting Friday and Saturday night must end by 2 a.m. no matter what the start time is; events on Sunday must end by 8 p.m.
  • Any considerations outside of these parameters may be requested and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis through the Office of Leadership & Engagement.

Management of Social Events

• Guests may only enter Social Events from the front entrance of the house or venue. Guests of University Avenue houses and the Phi Mu Delta house are not permitted upstairs for the duration of the Event;
• All guests, including organization members, are required to carry their Susquehanna University ID or SU Guest pass on their person or will be asked to leave by a TIPS Trained Member;
• A copy of the approved guest list must be available at the door for the duration of the function. Only students who are on the approved guest list are permitted to attend the function;
• All non-SU guests must be at least 18 years old, on the approved guest list, have a valid SU Guest Pass (Please see the Guest Pass Policy in this Handbook), a valid form of ID, and an SU student present at the Social Event who is responsible for the actions of the guest. Non-SU guests may not receive a wristband or be served alcohol;
• Individual organizations are responsible for assembling a TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures) Team who will remain sober and manage the operations of the event. The names of TIPS Team Members must be provided on the registration form. The TIPS Team should be composed of members who have had TIPS training authorized or provided through the Office of Leadership & Engagement. The TIPS Team will ensure compliance with alcohol and occupancy restrictions as outlined above. Each organization is expected to abide by the event management policies set forth by its national/international organizations (if applicable);
• Hosts of such events are responsible for the actions and safety of their guests and must be aware of the liabilities assumed in serving alcohol to others and the liabilities assumed in providing a location or event where alcohol will be consumed;
• The host organizations must provide a minimum of 5 TIPS Team Members or 10:1 maximum guest-to-TIPS Member ratio. Uninitiated members of Greek Letter Organizations may not serve as a TIPS member.
• Contact the Office of Leadership & Engagement for a list of students who are TIPS trained. TIPS Team Members do not have to hold membership in the organization which is hosting the event.
• The minimum amount of TIPS Team Members, should perform their duties as follows:
  • Two TIPS Team Members at the front entrance of the house or venue checking IDs, cross-referencing guests with the pre-approved guest list, providing wristbands to 21+ year-olds, directing 21+ individuals with alcohol to the designated bar area, verifying approved beer cans and alcohol content, calling Campus Safety to assist intoxicated individuals per TIPS training, and turning away individuals not on the guest list, including host organization members;
  • One TIPS Team Member at the designated bar area serving 21+ year old individuals with wristbands one drink per hour;
  • One TIPS Team Member by the stairs to prevent individuals from going upstairs unless the only bathroom in the location is upstairs then they will monitor bathroom usage (in the case of the 18th Street Commons Community Building, this member can be an extra “floater” or assist at the bar area);
  • One TIPS Team Member who acts as a “floater” and whose responsibility it is to assist the members at the front door, at the designated bar area, checking on the safety and security of guests as well as policy compliance checks;
  • Note that Campus Life staff will be informed of the TIPS Team Member names and will seek these individuals as the main point persons for policy compliance enforcement.
• Hosts of the Social Event are responsible for the oversight of guests’ actions, including members of the organization e.g., excessively loud noise, conduct unbecoming, underage individuals consuming alcohol. Hosts are also responsible for restoring the venue, including the outside of the venue, to its original state as approved by The Office of Residence Life and the Department of Facilities Management. Host organizations assume all costs for any clean up or repairs found the day after the event.
• Students may not leave the Social Event and return with more alcohol. Students may not arrive to the Social Event after two (2) hours into the Event.
• Unused alcohol shall not be returned to guests until the following day or may be disposed of by the TIPS Team at the conclusion of the event.
• Receiving approval for a Social Event indicates an agreement on the part of the members of the organization to adhere to the Code of Student Conduct, and the Social Event Policy as outlined above. Susquehanna University’s university officials, including student staff and Campus Safety Specialists who are acting in performance of their duties, reserve the right to perform policy compliance and safety and security checks for the duration of the event. Failure to cooperate with university officials or failure to adhere to the policies as outlined above may result in the Event being shut down early and may result in disciplinary action through student conduct and/or preclude the host organization from hosting future registered events.